ABOUT OUR NETWORK

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

Aloha! We are the Maui Nui Makai Network.​We bring together community groups and partner organizations that work to protect and restore healthy coastal and marine ecosystems for the people of Maui Nui (Maui, Lāna'i, Molokai, and Kaho'olawe) using powerful place-based, collaborative strategies. Our Network was started in February 2013 after community leaders from across Maui Nui came together asking: 'Do you want to form a network so we can connect and share lessons learned with each other?' Six community group Alaka'i Members now take part in the first Network of its kind in Maui Nui, with the technical support of three Kāko'o Members and with financial support from Kōkua Members.​​​

Learn more about the Maui Nui Makai Network

Our mission is to connect communities across Maui Nui to care for and restore healthy ecosystems on which Hawai'i's people depend. Our purpose is to share and learn from our diverse experiences, lessons, and best practices to help member sites mālama (care for) specific makai (seaward) areas. ​​

Our motto is “Paepae a ola”, which means encourage and live ‒ encourage each other to sustain the relationships within our communities and with the land and sea – those are the relationships that we need to thrive. ​​​

Our vision is to see our relationship restored to both land and sea as we reach across communities and generations to enhance our strength through diversity. We envision that the land and sea are healthy and productive and our actions are consistent with with ahupua'a (ridge to reef) stewardship practices and supported by the best of scientific insight.​

Together we commit to provide a legacy of ecosystem health and food security for future generations through education and 'āina restoration. We are motivated by our love for our island home and actively and purposefully support community-driven efforts to mālama 'āina (care for the earth) under the direction of nā kūpuna (our elders) and other knowledgable community members. With humility, we put fish first to ensure that ka pae 'āina (the Hawaiian archipelago) will return to abundance during our lifetime and for future generations.

To see the Maui Nui Makai Network's Partnership Agreement signed in February 2013, click here.